not transacted through an organized securities exchange; directly to the buyer or from the seller.
He sold his stocks over the counter.
Pharmacology. without a doctor's prescription but within the law.
unlisted on or not part of an organized securities exchange: OTC
over-the-counter stocks; the over-the-counter market.
Pharmacology. sold legally without a doctor's prescription: OTC
over-the-counter drugs.
(of securities) not listed or quoted on a stock exchange
(of a security market) dealing in such securities
(of security transactions) conducted through a broker's office directly between purchaser and seller and not on a stock exchange
OTC. (of medicinal drugs) able to be sold without a prescription Compare ortho-
First recorded in 1870–75
First recorded in 1920–25
An over-the-counter drug is one you can buy without a prescription. Aspirin is an over-the-counter drug, but for antibiotics or other prescription drugs, you'll have to see the pharmacist. Over-the-counter drugs can be bought without a doctor's permission. You don't even have to go to the pharmacy to get over-the-counter drugs, just march up to the counter and buy it. There are all kinds of over-the-counter drugs, like pain relievers, allergy medicine, or various types of heartburn relief. Generally, over-the-counter drugs are less potentially dangerous than prescription drugs, so they’re easier to buy.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The other major drug, minoxidil, is sold over the counter as a foam or liquid requiring twice-daily application—a time-consuming routine for many patients.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
A number of pharmacies have said they have stopped making aspirin available for over the counter sales.
From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026
U.S.-listed shares of Repsol, which trade over the counter, declined 3.5%.
From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026
Dr. Pieper cautioned against confusing this strategy with over the counter NAD+-precursors.
From Science Daily • Dec. 24, 2025
She leaned over the counter, palms flat against the wood, glowering at the young deputy who had allowed me to use the station’s phone to call work.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
